UPDATE: N&R article: ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ challenged by students
GREENSBORO — Openly gay students Jessica Arvidson, Matt Hill Comer, Alex Nini and Stacey Booe tried to enlist in the U.S. Army this morning in an effort to challenge the 13-year-old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy as part of a 30-city project called the Right to Serve campaign.
They weren’t allowed to enlist and then took part in a sit-in along with several supporters inside the Army Recruiting Center on Merritt Drive in Greensboro.
Booe left the sit-in after police said there would be arrests if they didn’t leave. The other three students and five other supporters were taken away in handcuffs.
For more details, read Friday’s News & Record or visit us again online.
Photo credit: News & Record
From today’s Greensboro News & Record (see original article at N&R):
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ challenged by students
By Lanita Withers
Staff Writer
September 21, 2006GREENSBORO — Jessica Arvidson graduated from high school early with one goal in mind — joining the Air Force.
She passed her preliminary tests and was about to set up her date for boot camp when she shared one more personal detail — that she’s a lesbian.
“I said I’m openly gay and I really am not going to hide it,” said Arvidson, a 18-year-old freshman at UNCG. “He didn’t let me into the Air Force.”
But today she’ll try to enlist again, this time in the Army. Arvidson is one of four openly gay local college students who will attempt to join the military to challenge the 13-year-old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Students from Guilford College and Forsyth Tech will also try to enlist.
They’re participating in the Right to Serve campaign, a nationwide movement by the group Soulforce which began earlier this year. So far, gay, lesbian and bisexual people in 10 cities have tried to enlist. None has been successful.
“The folks who are trying to sign up are folks who really do want to serve their country,” said Jacob Reitan, co-director of the national campaign, which organized another event Wednesday in New York. “For folks who are gay or lesbian, who are not willing to hide the sexual orientation to serve, it’s an unjust burden to put on someone who is willing to serve for their country.”
Alex Nini, a 19-year-old student at Forsyth Tech, has a story similar to Arvidson’s. She tried to enlist in the Navy two years ago, but was rejected when she told recruiters she was gay.
“It wasn’t a protest at all,” Nini said of her earlier attempt to enlist. “I wanted to go in. I got shot down. I felt horrible. I felt like they just didn’t trust me as a person.”
Many of the young adults said they realized the gravity of their decision. Matt Hill Comer, a 20-year-old UNCG sophomore, said it took him two months to make his decision. Comer has been active in gay and lesbian rights issues for years.
“There’s a war going on in Iraq,” Comer said. “I knew if the military were to accept me, I’d have a good possibility of going to Iraq or Afghanistan… In the end, I decided I love my country enough to defend it.”
But Comer knows the chances are slim.
He said the way the law is written, only a waiver from the U.S. Secretary of Defense or his office could allow him to serve openly.
“I’m hoping for the .01 chance that Donald Rumsfeld will sign that waiver and allow us to serve our country,” Comer said.
Also trying to enlist today is Stacey Booe, a student at Guilford College.
If they aren’t allowed to enlist, the four students and their supporters are planning a nonviolent sit-in at the recruitment center.Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lwithers@news-record.com
For more information about the local effort in the national Soulforce Right to Serve Campaign, see my Soulforce Youth page.
Technorati Tags: Soulforce, Right to Serve Campaign, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Army, Military, sit-in, Greensboro, North Carolina, News & Record, Lanita Withers, Matt Hill Comer, Jessica Arvidson, Stacey Booe, Alex Nini, Jacob Reitan
About the Author: Matt
7 Responses to “UPDATE: N&R article: ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ challenged by students”
Matt, I was so impressed with how you conducted yourself in the footage I saw on the noon Fox8 news today. Upon realizing it was you, I felt I should stop by and let you know. Thank you and your associates for your continuing efforts for equality for LGBT persons.
Warm regards,
Sam Moore
By Sam Moore on Sep 21, 2006
So, how many arrests does that make that you have on your record now?
By Walter on Sep 21, 2006
Just two. One at Liberty University and one today. Thanks for asking Walter.
And to Sam… thanks so much for your comment and also for the post on your site. I visited it from the link in your comment. Nice site guy!
By Matt on Sep 21, 2006
Matt,
Since you were arrested, are they pressing charges? If so, what’s the charge and/or penalty?
By Big Daddy Weave on Sep 22, 2006
Congratulations for standing up for what you feel is right. You’re setting a wonderful example for all young adults gay or straight.
By BrianR on Sep 22, 2006
We are charged with a Class 2 Misdemeanor trespassing and our court date is set for October 23rd. We’ve been instructed to stay away from the recruiting center at 2404 Merritt Drive in Greensboro, NC.
By Matt on Sep 22, 2006